One of the greatest joys of the Christmas season is seeing a loved one’s eyes light up as they unwrap that perfect present that was carefully chosen for them. This is especially true of children, who find excitement in the simple act of opening a gift and often delight the giver with shouts of exclamation when they find out what it is.
For parents, those precious few years when a child eagerly awaits Santa provide memories for many Christmases to come. The thought of being unable to provide anything for them ”“ to be forced to say that Santa has passed by their house ”“ is unthinkable for most of us, but it is a real concern for many parents who struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis, never mind provide extra for the holiday.
That’s where organizations like Toys for Tots come in, locally gathering more than 100 volunteers to collect and sort toys and set up a free shopping option for parents who could use the help. With thousands of parents depending upon the program for their little ones’ Christmas experience as the economy struggles to recover this year, support for Toys for Tots has become even more important.
Those who are hitting the shops in the next few days as Christmas day approaches should be keeping in mind those who can’t afford to buy gifts this year, perhaps by dropping a toy in the collection box. Better yet, sending in a check to Toys for Tots can have even more of an impact, as the volunteers can often make the money stretch further.
For children, even into their teens, getting nothing for Christmas can make them feel different and lesser than their peers, as noted by Carol Lombard, a social worker who coordinates the southern York County Toys for Tots effort. Every child deserves to feel that they have had a shared holiday experience with their classmates, no matter what their family’s financial circumstances. Not having that option can permanently affect a child’s self image, noted Lombard, which is why it is so important to support the toy give-away.
There is truly a wealth of charity in York County, such that no one in need of help this season should be going without. Other programs throughout the county make sure the season is bright and cheerful for senior citizens and for those who might not be able to afford a Christmas dinner. The Elder Elves program in Arundel provides gifts to older people who live alone, while free Christmas dinners at Bentley’s Saloon in Arundel, Traditions Restaurant in Saco and the Noel Dinner at St. Martha’s Church in Kennebunk give people a place to commune with one another and celebrate.
Sometimes it’s hard to give extra when many of us are scraping by ourselves, but every little bit counts toward a smile on someone’s face Christmas morning. “If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do,” as the saying goes. And if you haven’t even got a ha’penny, volunteering a bit of time to make these efforts a success is always most welcome.
After all, there’s nothing more Christmas-y than spreading cheer.
— Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.
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